The Western New York Flash will be without star midfielder Carli Lloyd for at least the first month of the National Women’s Soccer League because she suffered a broken bone in her shoulder playing for the United States in the Algarve Cup. Lloyd was taken out during the second half of the game vs. Iceland on Wednesday held out for the remainder of the tournament. After further examination, an MRI revealed a non-displaced greater tuberosity fracture in her left shoulder.

“Although it’s an unfortunate circumstance, I’ve been through injuries before and have come back even stronger,” said Lloyd, who has played 154 times for the Americans. “I’m disappointed that I’ll be missing some national team events and some league games, but as soon as my shoulder allows, I’ll be back and ready to compete.”

The U.S. plays in Wednesday’s 1 p.m. Algarve final vs. Group A champion Germany in Portugal. Fans can watch on TV (Integrated Sports), online via Pay-Per-View and follow along on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_WNT.
Group A champion Germany in the Algarve Cup Final on March 13 with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal. Fans will be able to watch the clash for the Algarve Cup on TV or online via Pay-Per-View and follow along on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_WNT.

MILLER, SALLES MAKE 1ST TEAM: Rochester Lancers forwards Doug Miller and Mauricio Salles, who finished 1-2 in the league in scoring, were named All-MISL picks on Tuesday. Defender Stephen Basso and Pedrinho also were named on the All-Rookie team. Miller and Salles are two of the three finalists for MISL MVP, Which will be announced on Wednesday.

RHINOS OPEN CAMP FRIDAY: The Rochester Rhinos open training camp Saturday and will play three preseason matches to prep for their April 13 season opener in Tampa. The pre-season schedule kicks off March 21 vs. Canisius College and continues March 24 at 3 p.m. vs. the Pittsburgh Riverhounds before concluding April 6 at 3 p.m. vs. Colgate University.

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Jeff DiVeronica has covered professional soccer and the Rhinos for the Democrat and Chronicle since the team's inception in 1996. "Devo's Direct Kicks" takes aim mostly at Rochester soccer, but will also highlight the USL, MLS and U.S. national team play. Devo, his nickname since college at St. John Fisher, also hosts two weekly radio shows each Saturday on WHTK-AM/FM (1280/107.3 or www.whtk.com). "Kick This!" (11 a.m.) features soccer talk, while the Canandaigua National Bank High School Sports Show (noon) covers Section V sports. E-mail Jeff at jdiveron@DemocratandChronicle.com.
Or follow him on Twitter: @RocDevo